In May of 2001 a popular online auction website banned the sale of items deemed offensive, including true crime memorabilia. It would be almost four years for crime related auctions to once again hit the world wide web. Created in January 2005 by Tod Bohannon and currently operated by William Harder, Murder Auction was the first website of its kind offering a unique assortment of letters, paintings, and hobby craft items created primarily by American serial killers from a number of dealers. It wasn't long before Murder Auction became the focus of world media, bringing into the spot light a hobby virtually unknown to the general public. Despite sharp criticism from victim advocacy groups and numerous spin-off sites that spawned in its wake, Murder Auction is the world's leading true crime memorabilia auction house.

It is the goal of Murder Auction to offer a friendly and reputable environment for collectors and dealers of true crime memorabilia.